Question 1

Humans are considered part of the
A) atmosphere.
B) lithosphere.
C) hydrosphere.
D) biosphere.
E) none of these.

Accepted Answer

The biosphere includes all living organisms on Earth, including humans. The atmosphere refers to the thin layer of gas that surrounds Earth, the lithosphere is the solid rock and soil that make up the Earth's crust, and the hydrosphere encompasses all water on Earth, including oceans, lakes, and rivers.

Question 2

Geographers are studying the phenomenon whereby,as the global population increases,arable land is being converted into zones of economic development and residential housing.This development leads to more intensive farming of the agricultural soils still in use,increasing the risk of soil erosion and pollution.This study falls into which of the following categories?
A) deforestation
B) farmland loss
C) global climate change
D) natural hazards
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

The phenomenon being studied is the loss of arable land due to economic and residential development, which falls under the category of farmland loss.

Question 3

Birds would be placed in this sphere.
A) atmosphere
B) lithosphere
C) hydrosphere
D) biosphere
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

The biosphere refers to the region of the Earth's surface and atmosphere that supports living organisms. As birds are living organisms, they would be placed within the biosphere. The lithosphere refers to the solid outer layer of the Earth, the atmosphere refers to the layer of gases that surround the Earth, and the hydrosphere refers to all of the Earth's water. Birds do interact with these spheres, but their primary placement would be in the biosphere.

Question 4

Within the field of geography,most geographers consider themselves to be either a(n)
A) physical or human specialist.
B) marine or soil specialist.
C) field or data specialist.
D) regional or political specialist.
E) animal or human specialist.

Accepted Answer

Geography is a broad field that covers both physical and human aspects. Physical geography is concerned with the natural processes and features of the Earth, such as climate, landforms, and ecosystems, while human geography looks at the social, cultural, economic, and political aspects of human activity on the planet. Therefore, most geographers consider themselves either physical or human specialists, depending on their area of focus. The other options listed (marine or soil specialist, field or data specialist, regional or political specialist, and animal or human specialist) are not as widely recognized within the geography discipline.

Question 5

This sphere provides the habitat and nutrients for many life-forms as rocks and minerals.
A) atmosphere
B) lithosphere
C) hydrosphere
D) biosphere
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

The lithosphere is the rigid outer layer of the Earth, consisting of the crust and the upper mantle. It provides the habitat and nutrients for many life-forms through rocks and minerals.

Question 6

Geographers are analyzing data on where and when hurricanes strike,tornadoes form,flooding takes place,earthquakes happen,and the like.As the global population grows,many people are moving into areas affected by these events.This study falls into which of the following categories?
A) deforestation
B) farmland loss
C) global climate change
D) natural hazards
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

The study of where and when hurricanes, tornadoes, flooding, earthquakes occur falls under the category of natural hazards. This is a crucial area of study for geographers to understand the potential risks and vulnerabilities for populations living in these areas.

Question 7

In physical geography the processes we talk about are fundamentally products of the energy
A) that flows from the Sun to the Earth.
B) from the heat of the Earth's interior.
C) of plate tectonics.
D) from the greenhouse effect.
E) absorbed by the ozone layer.

Accepted Answer

The energy that flows from the Sun to the Earth drives many of the physical geographic processes including weather patterns, ocean currents, and the water cycle.

(Note: Plate tectonics and the Earth's interior heat do play important roles in physical geography, but they are not the fundamental source of energy that drives these processes.)

Question 8

This sphere is composed of many critical components essential to life,such as oxygen,carbon,water,and nitrogen in vapor or gaseous form.
A) atmosphere
B) lithosphere
C) hydrosphere
D) biosphere
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

The atmosphere is the layer of gases that surround the Earth and contains the components essential to life mentioned in the statement. The lithosphere refers to the solid outer layer of the Earth, the hydrosphere refers to all of the water on Earth, and the biosphere includes all living things on Earth.

Question 9

In physical geography the term process broadly refers to
A) a series of actions that turn one thing into another thing.
B) a series of actions that can be measured and that produce a predictable end result.
C) the steps necessary to go from an initial condition to the final product.
D) the steps involved in changing a starting landscape into a different landscape.
E) the way a thing works.

Accepted Answer

In physical geography, processes are defined as a series of measurable actions that produce a predictable result. These processes may include natural forces such as erosion and weathering, or human activities such as deforestation and urbanization. The focus is on understanding the cause and effect relationships behind environmental changes.

Question 10

Geographers are studying the effects of the clearing of the tropical rainforests,which leads to soil erosion,loss of wildlife habitat,and species extinction.This study falls into which of the following categories?
A) deforestation
B) farmland loss
C) global climate change
D) natural hazards
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

The study focuses on the effects of clearing the tropical rainforests, which is commonly known as deforestation. The other options, such as farmland loss, global climate change, and natural hazards, do not encompass the specific topic of the study.

Question 11

Geographers are analyzing data on the levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere from the past to the present.This study falls into which of the following categories?
A) deforestation
B) farmland loss
C) global climate change
D) natural hazards
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

The study of analyzing data on the levels of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere falls into the category of global climate change.

Question 12

Which of the following is (are)not directly related to the flow of solar radiation?
A) circulation of the atmosphere
B) distribution of vegetation
C) movement of water in the air, in streams, and collection in lakes
D) all of these
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

All the options listed are directly related to the flow of solar radiation, as solar energy drives atmospheric circulation, influences vegetation distribution, and affects the hydrological cycle.

Question 13

What term describes patterns or distributions of specific variables over physical space?
A) pedology
B) spatial analysis
C) geology
D) ecology
E) none of these.

Accepted Answer

Spatial analysis involves analyzing and mapping patterns or distributions of specific variables over physical space. Pedology is the study of soil, geology is the study of the physical Earth, and ecology is the study of the relationships between organisms and their environment, but none of these specifically relate to spatial patterns or distributions.

Question 14

Physical geography contains the subfields of
A) climatology, scientology, geology, hydrology, and ecology.
B) climatology, biology, sociology, hydrology, and geology.
C) climatology, meteorology, geomorphology, hydrology, and soils.
D) biology, anthropology, sociology, hydrology, and soils.
E) biology, geomorphology, sociology, hydrology, and soils.

Accepted Answer

Climatology studies the patterns and changes in climate; meteorology studies the atmosphere's chemical, physical, and dynamic conditions; geomorphology studies landforms and how they change over time; hydrology studies water resources, including surface and underground water; soils studies the structure, composition, and ecology of soils. These subfields are all included in physical geography, and choice C includes all of them.

Question 15

A gaging station measures the
A) purity of the water in a stream.
B) quality of water in a stream.
C) number of fry in a stream.
D) amount of vegetation in a stream.
E) quantity of water in a stream.

Accepted Answer

A gaging station measures the quantity or volume of water in a stream, which is important for purposes such as water supply management, flood prediction, and monitoring river health. Options A, B, C, and D do not accurately describe what a gaging station measures.

Question 16

Spatial analysis is used by
A) physical geographers.
B) cultural geographers.
C) historical geographers.
D) all of these.
E) none of these.

Accepted Answer

Spatial analysis is used by all of these types of geographers, as it involves the study of the spatial distribution and relationships of various phenomena, including physical, cultural, and historical factors.

Question 17

Who monitors the gaging stations in the United States?
A) U.S. Geological Survey
B) U.S. Forest Service
C) U.S. Department of the Transportation
D) U.S. Department of Parks and Recreation
E) U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Accepted Answer

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is the primary government agency responsible for monitoring and maintaining gaging stations in the United States. They collect and analyze data on water resources, including streamflow, groundwater, and water quality, to provide scientific information for resource management and decision-making.

Question 18

Geography is
A) a recent scientific discipline studying the tectonic plates of the Earth and their movements over time.
B) the study of rocks and their formation and differentiation on the surface of the Earth.
C) the discipline of creating maps devoted to the features and structure of the Earth.
D) an ancient discipline examining the spatial attributes of the Earth's surface and how they differ from one place to another.
E) the classification and categorization of rock, sediment, and soils and their characteristic landforms.

Accepted Answer

Geography is an ancient discipline that explores the spatial attributes of the Earth's surface and how they differ from one place to another. Geography examines the relationships between humans and the environment and how they impact each other. It also studies the physical, social, economic, and cultural aspects of different regions and how they relate to one another. While mapping is an essential tool for geographers, it is not the sole focus of the discipline.

Question 19

The term Geography translates as
A) place on Earth.
B) written history.
C) written universe.
D) Earth description.
E) none of these.

Accepted Answer

Geography comes from the Greek word 'geographia' which means 'Earth description'.

Question 20

This sphere encompasses that part of the Earth where water,in all its forms,flows and is stored.
A) atmosphere
B) lithosphere
C) hydrosphere
D) biosphere
E) none of these

Accepted Answer

The hydrosphere includes all bodies of water on Earth, such as oceans, lakes, rivers, and underground water. It also includes water vapor in the atmosphere and ice caps and glaciers.

Quiz 1: Introduction to Physical Geography

Humans are considered part of the

Birds would be placed in this sphere.

Within the field of geography,most geographers consider themselves to be either a(n)

This sphere provides the habitat and nutrients for many life-forms as rocks and minerals.

Geographers are analyzing data on where and when hurricanes strike,tornadoes form,flooding takes place,earthquakes happen,and the like.As the global population grows,many people are moving into areas affected by these events.This study falls into which of the following categories?

In physical geography the processes we talk about are fundamentally products of the energy

This sphere is composed of many critical components essential to life,such as oxygen,carbon,water,and nitrogen in vapor or gaseous form.

In physical geography the term process broadly refers to

Geographers are studying the effects of the clearing of the tropical rainforests,which leads to soil erosion,loss of wildlife habitat,and species extinction.This study falls into which of the following categories?

Geographers are analyzing data on the levels of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere from the past to the present.This study falls into which of the following categories?

Which of the following is (are) not directly related to the flow of solar radiation?

What term describes patterns or distributions of specific variables over physical space?

Physical geography contains the subfields of

A gaging station measures the

Spatial analysis is used by

Who monitors the gaging stations in the United States?

Geography is

The term Geography translates as

This sphere encompasses that part of the Earth where water,in all its forms,flows and is stored.